ADHD Children Becoming Adults

The major symptom seen in adults with ADHD is lack of attention, as hyperactivity is less a problem.

In the past, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD has been viewed and examined mostly to children patients and a lesser percentage to adult patients. But a study shows that 50 % of children with ADHD will have the same symptoms or continue to have symptoms of ADHD in adulthood. In order to create a plan for treatment, a health care provider must gather history reports of the adult. The report should have information from their parents like the symptoms, behavioral level at home and performance in a psychosocial therapy sessions.

Here are the comparisons of treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents and in adults:

Treatment in children and adolescents comprises of medication like stimulants, and psychosocial and educational rehabilitation or therapy. For stimulants use, caution is very essential for it may be abused in use especially in adolescents’ stage. Psychosocial interventions include parent behavior-modification training, , family psychotherapy, individual therapy, social skills training, support groups, and day treatment programs.

Some study recommends that medications be prescribed based on the family observant with psychosocial and educational therapy recommendations and that drug formulated plans to discontinue medication. Conduct counseling is also recommended in the family.

Meanwhile, treatment for adults consists of medication and psychological involvement in therapies. Medication maintains a basis for treatment in adults because of its short term benefit. The most popular stimulant medications are methylphenidate hydrochloride, amphetamine, and pemoline.

The main form of therapy used in adults with ADHD is cognitive behavioral therapy, which includes problem-solving strategies, self-monitoring, self-reinforcement, and skills training. The goal of these therapies is to improve self-control.

There are two circumstances in which primary health care physicians of adults may stumble upon a patient who presents with adult ADHD. The patient may have been formerly diagnosed in his childhood or never have been previously diagnosed but have the disorder. A primary care physician may also have cared for the pediatric patient and may continue care for that patient in adulthood. The physician who thinks care of an adult with a previous diagnosis of ADHD should verify how the initial diagnosis was made. Careful review of the record is necessary to determine the presenting symptoms, the evaluators, physical examination findings, medication use, prior medical disorders, and family history. Reassessment should be done to a patient who had ADHD from pediatric to adulthood, so that physicians can make a further related research to this disorder. By doing this, physician and health care providers can ensure to provide quality care to the children and adults with ADHD.

Dr. John has reared 3 children, Philip, Laura, and Matthew. Dr. John has been teaching families for the last 30 years. He is a family coach that specializes in parenting. Dr. John’s motto is “Empowering parents to transform their homes.” Dr. John was a pastor for 25 years. Discover more about parenting skills at www.askdoctorjohn.net